Montage Kapalua Bay reinvents its lounge

Carla Tracy

Dining Editor

carlatracy@mauinews.com

It’s a “femme den” and a “man cave” all rolled into one. The Hideaway is a newly reimagined lounge at the Montage Kapalua Bay. The former Cane & Canoe Bar is now a chic yet casual refuge, hiding place, hideout, lair, shelter, sanctuary, sanctum, hermitage, cache, bolthole, nest and nook for those who want to munch tempting foods, listen to live music and imbibe in craft cocktails, fine wines and cold beer.

After a year in the making, The Hideaway celebrated its grand opening last Tuesday with VIPs and those in the industry coming out in full force.

“Over 120 people showed up,” says Chef de Cuisine Robert Barrera, who is in charge of food for The Hideaway, Cane & Canoe signature restaurant and in-room dining for the tony West Maui resort.

“The idea behind The Hideaway was to make it more approachable. You don’t feel like you have to get dressed up to go have a drink and enjoy. We’re up and running with a successful first phase, and sometime down the road, we hope to expand to where our fire pits are in front, and add a private room in the outdoor area behind where the billiards table was.”

Besides the billiards table, the classic Pegge Hopper painting and the grand piano are both gone. These days there are North Shore surfer displays, large longboards and chic, comfy new furnishings.

“Now the Hideaway has a cool, modern vibe with high-tops, larger tables and lounge seating that tiers down from the back to the front so everybody has a view,” says Resort Manager Anthony Freda.

The Hideaway is first-come, first-served, and reservations are not taken. Appetizers are small plates and sharable crowd pleasers. If you want more of an entree, you can order a Cane & Canoe option, and it will arrive hot to you at the bar.

“In mid March, we’ll launch a twilight menu with more adult-friendly fare. Right now, the menu appeals to the whole family,” says Barrera. “We are still figuring out what to add. I will say the coconut-shrimp satay is a top seller.”

Like a lollipop, the shrimp satay has shrimp mousse sandwiching plump shrimp on each side. Surfing Goat Dairy flat bread also flies out the door as do the shishito peppers, flash fried and drizzled with lemon and alaea sea salt. Dip them in tangy Surfing Goat chevre ranch dressing.

“Beverage Manager Zoe Benrexi launched a new cocktail menu when we fist opened the doors in December,” says Barrera. “They are a little more of a process in the crafting as she dehydrates garnishes and adds smoky elements and such.”

“I always strive to bring innovation without forcing it,” Benrexi explains. “I want our guests to have the opportunity for something new, but to feel the comfort of familiarity. For example, I channeled the essence of an Old Fashioned to create the Time Capsule. (E.H. Taylor Bourbon, Old Fashioned bitters, mamaki tea and orange.) The Voyager was inspired by my favorite non-alcoholic drink, a Thai iced tea (with Zaya and Mahina rums, Velvet Falernum, tamarind-vanilla punch, lime foam).”

Live music gets you in the groove from 6 to 9 nightly.

“The Hideaway is the ideal destination to stay awhile and return to often,” says Freda. “The perfectly curated menu pays homage to traditional comfort food while the intimate space invites diners to unwind and reconnect. Relax indoors where cool vibes and music fills the room, or on the patio under starry skies, where the night air sets the mood.”

The Hideaway at a glance:

• Where: Located on the garden level at the Montage Kapalua Bay Resort next to the signature Cane & Canoe restaurant.